Nadine Wilkins (202)720-8998Nadine.wilkins@ams.usda.gov
WASHINGTON, June 28, 2010 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has cited eight produce businesses for failure to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).
These businesses have been barred from operating in the produce industry until their awards are paid. The businesses were served complaints by USDA and were given the opportunity to respond. USDA subsequently ordered payment of the amounts mentioned below.
The businesses are:
--Desert Star Produce LLC, operating in Beaumont, Calif., for failing to pay a $45,093 award in favor of a Florida seller. The sole member is Damon P. Baldiviez.
--T & Y Produce, operating in Santa Clara, Calif., for failing to pay a $5,895 award in favor of a California seller. The sole proprietor is Venh C. Tang.
--M & C Produce Co. Inc., operating in Philadelphia, Pa., for failing to pay a $53,280 award in favor of an Arizona seller. The sole officer, director, and stockholder is John N. Lerro.
--Ivy Produce Company Inc., operating in Dallas, Texas, for failing to pay a $10,992 award in favor of an Arizona seller. The sole officer, director, and stockholder is Ricki T. Ivy.
--Super Latino Products Inc., operating in Bronx, N.Y., for failing to pay a $10,987 award in favor of a New York seller. The sole officer, director, and stockholder is Ceverino Paez.
--Golden Fresh Produce Inc., operating in Bronx, N.Y., for failing to pay an $11,144 award in favor of a Florida seller. The sole officer, director, and stockholder is John D. Suh.
--Fresco Produce Inc., operating in Chula Vista, Calif., for failing to pay a $90,149 award in favor of a Florida seller. The sole officer, director, and stockholder is Frank Torre.
--Numero Uno Market Inc., operating in Los Angeles, Calif., for failing to pay a $9,243 award in favor of an Arizona seller. The officers, directors, and stockholders are Steven M. Torres, George Torres, and Roberta A. Torres.
PACA provides for damages to be paid by those not meeting their contractual obligations in buying and selling fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. Interstate produce traders operating as commission merchants, dealers or brokers, and conducting a sufficient volume of business must be USDA-licensed.